Easy open and reclosable package with discrete laminate, with die-cut, anchored to second side panel

Abstract

An easy-open and reclosable package includes a pouch including a discrete laminate including a tape including a base strip coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a panel section having a die cut defining a die cut segment, the panel section adhered by the PSA to the base strip; the panel section anchored to a first side panel; the second surface of the base strip anchored to the inner surface of a second side panel; and a product in the pouch. The die cut segment is so arranged with respect to the pressure sensitive adhesive that when the package is opened, the package can be reclosed by adhering the pressure sensitive adhesive to the first side panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of making an easy-open and reclosable hermetic package in a horizontal form/fill/seal process comprising:
 a) providing a lay-flat web comprising a first and second surface; 
 b) providing a discrete laminate having a first and second end, the discrete laminate comprising
 i) a tape comprising
 (a) a base strip comprising a first and second surface, and a first and second side edge, at least one of the first and second surfaces of the base strip comprising a sealant, and 
 (b) a pressure sensitive adhesive coated on at least a first portion of the first surface of the base strip; and 
 
 ii) a panel section comprising an outer and inner surface, a first and second side edge, and a die cut, wherein the at least first portion of the first surface of the base strip is adhered by the pressure sensitive adhesive to a first part of the inner surface of the panel section; 
 
 c) advancing the lay-flat web to a forming device to convert the lay-flat web to a folded web; 
 d) advancing the discrete laminate such that when the package is made, the discrete laminate is part of the package; 
 e) making side seals in the folded web and the discrete laminate; 
 f) cutting the folded web and the discrete laminate to produce an open pouch comprising
 i) a first and second side panel each comprising an outer and inner surface, a first and second side edge, and a first and second end, the first and second side panels joined together along their respective first and second side edges by a seal, 
 ii) the panel section and second side panel joined together along their respective first and second side edges by a seal, and 
 iii) the first end of the panel section joined to the second side panel; 
 
 g) putting a product in the open pouch; and 
 h) sealing a first end of the pouch to close the pouch; 
 wherein 
 the die cut defines a primary die cut segment, wherein a first portion of the primary die cut segment is underlain by the pressure sensitive adhesive, and a second portion of the primary die cut segment is underlain by a clear area, the primary die cut segment so arranged with respect to the base strip that when the package is opened, by removing the primary die cut segment, at least a portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive is exposed, and the package can thereafter be reclosed by adhering the pressure sensitive adhesive to the first side panel; 
 at any time during the method of making the package, anchoring the panel section to the lay-flat web, the folded web, or the first side panel, and anchoring the second surface of the base strip to the lay-flat web, the interior surface of the folded web, or the inner surface of the second side panel, such that when the package is completed, the panel section is anchored to the first side panel, and the second surface of the base strip is anchored to the inner surface of the second side panel; and 
 the web is cut at the side seals during or after the step of making side seals in the folded web. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the first surface of the base strip comprises an easy-open sealant. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein a second part of the outer surface of the panel section is anchored to the inner surface of the first side panel. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein a second part of the inner surface of the panel section is anchored to the outer surface of the first side panel. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the primary die cut segment is spaced apart from a first and second side seal respectively. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein a secondary die cut segment is disposed between the primary die cut segment and an end of the package, and is underlain at least in part by the pressure sensitive adhesive, the secondary die cut segment so arranged with respect to the base strip that when the secondary die cut segment is displaced or removed, at least a portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive is exposed. 
     
     
       7. A method of making an easy-open and reclosable hermetic package in a continuous horizontal packaging process comprising:
 a) providing a lay-flat web comprising a first and second surface; 
 b) providing a discrete laminate comprising
 i) a tape comprising
 (a) a base strip comprising a first and second surface, and a first and second side edge, at least one of the first and second surfaces of the base strip comprising a sealant, and 
 (b) a pressure sensitive adhesive coated on at least a first portion of the first surface of the base strip; and 
 
 ii) a panel section comprising an outer and inner surface, a first and second side edge, and a die cut, wherein the at least first portion of the first surface of the base strip is adhered by the pressure sensitive adhesive to a first part of the inner surface of the panel section; 
 
 c) advancing the lay-flat web to a forming device to convert the lay-flat web to a folded web having an inner surface; 
 d) advancing the discrete laminate such that when the package is made, the discrete laminate is part of the package; 
 e) advancing a product to the forming device such that the folded web and the discrete laminate envelop the product; 
 f) making a longitudinal seal in the folded web and the discrete laminate; 
 g) transversely sealing the folded web and the discrete laminate, with the product therein, to produce a leading transverse seal to define a first pouch; 
 h) advancing the folded web and the discrete laminate, with the leading transverse seal, forward a predetermined distance; 
 i) transversely sealing the folded web to produce a trailing transverse seal in the first pouch, and a leading transverse seal in a second pouch, the second pouch disposed upstream of the first pouch; and 
 j) transversely cutting the folded web and the discrete laminate to separate the first pouch from the second pouch to make a package, the package comprising
 i) a first and second side panel each comprising an outer and inner surface, first and second side edges, and a first and second end, the first and second side panels joined together along their respective first and second side edges, and 
 ii) the panel section and second side panel joined along their respective first and second side edges; 
 
 wherein 
 the die cut defines a primary die cut segment, wherein a first portion of the primary die cut segment is underlain by the pressure sensitive adhesive, and a second portion of the primary die cut segment is underlain by a clear area, the primary die cut segment so arranged with respect to the base strip that when the package is opened, by removing the primary die cut segment, at least a portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive is exposed, and the package can thereafter be reclosed by adhering the pressure sensitive adhesive to the first side panel; and 
 at any time during the method of making the package, anchoring the panel section to the lay-flat web, the folded web, or the first side panel, and anchoring the second surface of the base strip to the lay-flat web, the inner surface of the folded web, or the inner surface of the second side panel, such that when the package is completed, the panel section is anchored to the first side panel, and the second surface of the base strip is anchored to the inner surface of the second side panel. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7  wherein the first surface of the base strip comprises an easy-open sealant. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7  wherein a second part of the outer surface of the panel section is anchored to the inner surface of the first side panel. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7  wherein a second part of the inner surface of the panel section is anchored to the outer surface of the first side panel. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7  wherein the primary die cut segment is spaced apart from a first and second side seal respectively. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 7  wherein a secondary die cut segment is disposed between the primary die cut segment and an end of the package, and is underlain at least in part by the pressure sensitive adhesive, the secondary die cut segment so arranged with respect to the base strip that when the secondary die cut segment is displaced or removed, at least a portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive is exposed.